Question

Is it wrong to miss my toddler's baby days?

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My son is suddenly a toddler and I desperately miss the baby days -- those tiring days and sleepless nights punctuated by dreamy moments of cuddling and nursing. His gurgles and coos have been replaced by screeches and temper tantrums. I wouldn't trade anything for who he is today or try to hold him back in his development, but I'm sad that his cuddly baby days are already over. Do other parents feel the same way?

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I was looking at my daughter (16 months) yesterday thinking the exact same thing. I don't know where the time went. Luckily she loves the arms before she goes to bed. She usually goes to bed cradled in my arms or draped over my shoulder and I love that time of day. I love feeling her breath on my face and holding her cheek to cheek. I cried holding her last night 'cause I realized these times won't last forever. Her infancy stage was very hard for me 'cause she was a premiee, I pumped every three hours when I went back to work so I could continue breastfeeding, she didn't sleep all night until she was 13 months and she had acid reflux. Despite the exhausting days and nights, constant worrying and all I miss those precious moments we had. It's funny isn't ladies? One of the most toughest times is also one of the most treasured. Enjoy every moment.

I feel this way too! My 18 month old still nurses quite often and I love having that time with him; it reminds me most of his baby time. I also have found that lately if he falls asleep on my lap I will just sit and hold him, soaking up every moment of time he sleeps rather than put him down. (I know there are a million other things I could be doing while he sleeps, but he is so precious that I just want to hang on to that time.) I am sure that lots of moms (and dads!) feel the same way...I wouldn't change who he is today, but I miss all the baby-ness that he is growing out of already.

The first 6 months of motherhood are a foggy blur to me & for that I am sad. I was so stressed with my baby being sick & PND that it just went past! NOw I am loving my toddler, but I do wish sometimes that I could have clearer memories of a time which I do cherish despite all of the anxiety!

Every time I pack away clothes they've grown out of, I get a little teary-eyed. Love the funny new stages, but wish the baby moments were in slow-motion, especially since I was blessed with a boy and girl at once and may not get to start from the beginning again.

After I weaned my son from breastfeeding at 13 months I was so sad because we no longer "cuddled." Now he is 16 months and he is again starting to crawl into my lap for quiet time. I am 10 weeks pregnant and have been pretty stationary lately (trying not to get sick) so I guess I just seem more cuddly. I love it!!

Yes, I miss those precious baby days too. Things have changed dramatically since my little one got steady on her feet. Noone told me a new personality comes with walking! Now instead of being content in my arms during our errands she wants "down" and if she doesn't get what she wants when she wants it WATCH OUT! This is a hard adjustment for me. I love her exuberance and her spunk and it's fun in so many new ways but I will always cherish those early days with that sweet, little newborn who just simply needed her mama.

I actually don't really miss them because she is so much more fun now. We can do more, she can say more, her personality is so much more developed, and I actually enjoy her growing independence. I think I will feel more sadness when she is off to school. She is 17 mos now.

Babies are sweet... but toddlers are so much fun!
Toddlers run, talk (usually a little at least), and they're so enthusiastic about absolutely everything. Bright smiles, sticky fingers, 'No!' shouted at the top of their lungs (then they take the cookie you've just offered anyway). They are so proud of themselves when they accomplish something. They are so excited when they discover something new: 'Mama---elbow!!!!'
The tantrums are something you have to deal with, but they aren't too much of a problem if you NEVER give in to them.
Toddlers are great fun if you just relax and enjoy their many quirks. You will see the world in a whole new way. I wish I could keep having babies just so I could get more toddlers... ;)

My daughter will be two in July. Sometimes I wish that I could go back in time and wrap her in her blanket and let her fall asleep on my shoulder. She's at a fun age, though. It's fun watching her learn new things and hearing her speech develop. Plus, the older she gets, the closer I get to having a second baby. And I'm looking forward to having two children and finding out how my baby-to-come will compare to my daughter. I've learned to try my best to enjoy the present instead of living in the past or worrying about the future. It's not easy, but it's a good thing to practice.

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